Maurice Miranda has a shiny new job title at the same old miserable pay.
So even as a newly minted American Youth Soccer Organization national board member, don’t just assume the affable coach can start picking up food tabs for his friends.
Just like his previous 32 years with the organization, Miranda is working for free.
“I’d be rich if not,” joked Miranda, whose term as state AYSO director ended in June.
Like so many AYSO volunteers, Miranda, also the longtime Honokaa High boys coach, keeps coming back year after year to try and cultivate a priceless experience for players and parents.
“Some parents would rather pay more money (for club) and sit down and not volunteer,” Miranda said. “We’re still saying get involved with your children, because they grow up real fast and these are the years you’re going to look back and say, “Wow, I’m glad I did.
“I’m glad I did with my two (children). I spent every Saturday with them. I wish I had it back, because it only lasted a little while. Some parents are missing out.”
Even as a national director — he’s the first from the Big Island and the fourth from Hawaii in 50-plus years — Miranda was powerless Friday to stop the freight train that is Kealakehe.
On a busy, sun-splashed day at the Volcano International Soccer Tournament, Kealakehe – one of the two under-19 teams that Waveriders’ coach Alden Sawada brought to the tournament – beat North Hawaii 3-1.
“And this is not (Alden’s) strong team,” Miranda said. “They will be in the final.”
North Hawaii beat Hilo 5-3 earlier in the day in the seven-team field and needs a win Saturday to advance to Sunday’s semifinals.
Few BIIF soccer coaches have used the developmental aspects of youth soccer quite like Miranda, who guided an AYSO-seasoned Honokaa boys team to consecutive HHSAA Division II championships in 2011-12.
Last’s year’s Dragons finished 2-10-2, but many Honokaa players have been trying to improve during the offseason, both at the high school summer league and now with North Hawaii at Volcano.
“My high school team was real young and the summer league has been good for them,” Miranda said. “A lot of these freshman and sophomores are starting to play a lot better. We’re going to be a little better next year.”
He’s also excited about the wide-spread developmental AYSO initiatives in the lower age divisions, including a “build-out line” for U10 teams in which players have to stay behind a line 35 yards from the goal when the opposing goalkeeper has the ball. The rule is designed to increase ball-control and touches.
“No punting, we’re trying to get the ball on the ground and create build-up passing to get the ball up the field,” Miranda said.
That system might sound familiar ring to it: The Dragons used it to win states in 2011-12.
On the girls side, Hilo improved to 3-0, beating Leeward, Oahu, 4-0 and Maui 4-3 behind a combined five goals by reigning BIIF Division I Player of the Year Miya Clarke.
Pool play continues Saturday at 9 a.m. at Hilo Bayfront and Amauulu Field.
